This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first-ever gaming‑focused fundraiser, an event titled Save Point. The initiative merges video‑game play with live‑streamed fundraising, aiming to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers worldwide while raising vital resources for children in need.
Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. “Save Point gives us a platform to interact with gamers both through strategic partnerships and individual supporters,” she explained. “Not everyone can commit to running a marathon or climbing a mountain; a gaming marathon is far more inclusive, allowing a wider range of participants to contribute and showcase how diverse supporters can make a difference.” To anchor the event, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously generated more than £5,000 for the charity earlier this year.
Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers, influencers, and streaming personalities beyond the two‑day fundraiser. “It would be phenomenal to reach even more people within this vibrant community, to inform them about the work we do and why it matters,” she said. “I’ll consider the event a massive success if, after it concludes, we have a fresh crew of supporters who are eager to game for us again because of the experience they had.” Baxter also highlighted the learning curve associated with this novel approach.
“This is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, so the insights we gather will be priceless. They’ll help us refine and expand future gaming events, making them bigger and more impactful year after year.” She described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," noting that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. According to Baxter, there is a shared ethos among game lovers: a passion for narrative, imagination, and escapism through play.
By channeling that passion into real‑world impact, the charity hopes to demonstrate the tangible power of the gaming community. "We’re a group that thrives on stories and immersive worlds," Baxter remarked.
"When we translate that love of gaming into a force for lasting change, we prove just how influential and effective the gaming sector can be in driving social good." Save Point forms a core component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—that millions of children will rely on this Christmas.
Baxter underscored the stark contrast between typical holiday shopping and the urgent needs of children facing crisis. "Anything you can imagine can be ordered with a tap on a screen and delivered to your door," she noted. "But for countless children this December, it isn’t toys or sweets they await—it’s life‑saving provisions that protect their childhoods and futures." The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream. Once registered, gamers can choose to host their own streams, encourage donations from viewers, and collaborate with other participants to create a collective fundraising push.
Beyond the immediate financial goals, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gaming‑based philanthropists. By offering a low‑barrier entry point—no need for physical endurance, just a willingness to play and engage—the charity hopes to attract a diverse array of supporters, from casual players to professional e‑sports athletes. The event also includes interactive challenges, leaderboards, and special in‑game rewards to keep participants motivated and to celebrate milestones achieved during the two‑day marathon. In addition to the direct donations, Save the Children plans to leverage the event’s visibility to raise awareness about the broader challenges facing children worldwide, from conflict‑driven displacement to climate‑related food insecurity.
Streamers will have opportunities to discuss these issues between gaming sessions, providing educational interludes that deepen viewers’ understanding of why their contributions matter. The partnership with TheKapFantastic serves as a proof‑of‑concept for future collaborations with other high‑profile creators. By showcasing a successful fundraiser early on, Save the Children hopes to attract additional talent, expanding the reach of subsequent Save Point editions.
Overall, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for the charity, aligning its fundraising model with contemporary digital culture. By meeting supporters where they spend much of their leisure time—online, in front of screens, immersed in games—Save the Children hopes to unlock new streams of generosity and build a resilient, engaged donor base for years to come.